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Our
Steam Engine, No. 203
"Lindy"
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The
203, a 2-8-0 Consolidation type locomotive was built in
1925 by Baldwin Locomotive Company of Philadelphia. The
locomotive was first purchased by a Georgia shortline,
the Washington & Lincolnton Railroad that went out
of business in 1932. 203 was then sold to the Rockton
& Rion, which served a quarry operation in South Carolina.
The little engine was not suited for the strenuous labor,
so she was placed in storage at Rockton for the next 44
years.
In 1977, 203 was taken out of storage and put to work
in the tour trade in Florida and Mississippi. During this
time 203 saw limited duty, and it wasn’t long before
she was returned again to storage. Due to her years of
idleness, 203 has probably traveled fewer miles than any
other operating steam engine in America.
In 1995, 203 again came to a shortline railroad when Gulf
& Ohio began the task of rebuilding her. The locomotive
was restored by the employees of Knoxville Locomotive
Works with the help of volunteers.
203 has been affectionately nicknamed "Lindy."
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